Weekend Plans:
Matthew McGee

We caught up with the local performer to find out what he’s up today and tomorrow.

By Julie Garisto, May 5, 2018

Matthew McGee is the toast of Demens Landing Park, St. Petersburg, where he’s receiving rave reviews in American Stage in the Park’s production of The Producers.

The 43-year-old Equity Actor/Community Outreach Director at freeFall Theatre is as formidable as a dramatic lead as he is as a comedic performer. Charismatic and polished, McGee gets called on to emcee local events and is the Patti half of The Scott & Patti Show with Producers co-star Scott Daniel. He has headlined numerous cabarets and starred in drag as Auntie Mame in Mame, as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, and as a more-or-less conventional male in several other roles.

A three-time Theatre Tampa Bay Award winner (“Outstanding Leading” and “Featured Actor in a Musical” awards), McGee also received Broadway World’s Best Actor in a Musical award for his performance as Auntie Mame.

“Prep was fairly easy! No drag,” he joked with us. “Max has been a role I’ve wanted to play for a long time. I grew up watching Mel Brooks and loving musicals. A Mel Brooks musical is a thing of beauty. It took a few extra years, a few extra pounds and a little less hair to be ready for this role.  It’s a mammoth role and the most important part is staying strong and well for the run of the show. The musical is 2 hours and 30 minutes, and I rarely leave the stage. I review every line and lyric each night and I try to eat right, get lots of sleep and stretch before every show. ”

 

A couple of things he’s up to this weekend besides starring in The Producers:

 Saturday

“Getting a facial on Saturday a.m. at Kensington Salon & Spa in Tampa, McGee said.”

(The salon has an impressive suite of services for men and women all ages. Owner Robert hails from Portsmouth, England. He relocated to London and trained with Steiner International where he rose to become a stylist at the prestigious Royal Kensington Garden Hotel — hence the name.)

“Then I’m seeing Chris Jackson in James Rayfield’s play Charles Lindbergh in A Life of Flight at Tampa Fringe at 3:30 p.m. It’s at HCC Studio Theatre all weekend.” The fellow Pinellas-based actor and video designer) acts, directs, is a photographer, filmmaker and founder of CineView Studios.  Theater credits include Matt in Simple Theatre’s Good Egg (won TTB award for Best Actor), and other standout roles with freeFall Theatre, New Stage, Stageworks, Jobsite and American Stage. chrisjacksonactor.com.

Sunday: